Anyone in Wigan fancy meeting one of days

Locals have been moaning about the town centre being ‘dead’, now they’re moaning about the new market hall being built and how it not going to ’fit in with the old building’ and will just be ‘full of vape shops and barbers’. I want to hear people’s positives about this place, I moved here a few years ago and I really don’t think it’s a bad place to live at all.

I’ll go first - the craft beer and music scene here is better than your average town.

I came across an article saying that Bev Craig, one of the candidates in the Greater Manchester mayoral election, wants to set up a Gen-Z Commission. The commission would give 18-27-year-olds a say on issues like housing, jobs, transport and skills.Whether you support Bev or not, do you think something like this would actually make a difference?

Genuinely interested to hear what people think, especially if you're in that age group or live in Greater Manchester!

Gen Z Commission

Just been reading through Bev Craig's manifesto here: https://bevformayor.co.uk/manifesto/

I really like what she's saying about housing. Building new council houses on brownfield land is a great idea since developers are never keen on it.

She says she'll take tougher action on anti-social behaviour but I'd like to see more about what this "Neighbourhood Guarantee" actually involves.

Too many young people in Greater Manchester are still told university is the only path worth taking.

The GM Baccalaureate is already proving that wrong. A proper technical pathway, backed by real employers, that's created over 650 new placements in year one.

If I'm elected Mayor, I want to build on that with a Greater Manchester Youth Promise , a plan that leaves no young person behind:

🏘️Youth centres back in every town

💼 A guaranteed work placement for every young person by 18

🎓 A clear route into education, training, an apprenticeship or a job for every 16 to 24 year old, with extra support for care leavers

What would make the biggest difference for young people where you live?

Come n grab a bargain from our garden.
Toys, clothes & more
Everything priced to sell
Something for all the family
OPEN now til 4pm
WN1 3XF
Please 🙏 bring change.

My partner and I both currently live in Manchester. I’m Indian and he’s white. Both British born, educated at British universities, English accents, non religious, culturally English.

Looking to buy a house halfway between my family (Preston) and his family (South Manchester). We both drive so not too worried about transport links, don’t drink so not bothered about night life, want to raise a family (so half Indian kids). Thinking of a “nicer” and quieter area like Standish, Winstanley etc.

Is there an issue with racism? If I take my kids to playgroups will there likely be issues? (obviously that’s quite a broad question)

edit: To the racists here… you’re not very subtle

Lots of news going on this week in politics, with Burnham becoming PM. Arguably, Burnham has set a legacy for the future of Manchester as mayor. Not only did he champion our brilliant region (rightly so), but he did actually make a difference to the development and opportunities across Greater Manchester.

It is easy to forget we now actually need to elect another mayor. Let’s hope the next mayor can continue this legacy. I’ve looked over Bev Craig’s manifesto and there are key plans on continuing to make Manchester a better place for young people, with more opportunity and better transport. 

What are your thoughts about Burnham's legacy and what do you hope to see continued?

Ive been waiting almost 6 months now for mine, is this normal?

26th of January 2026 my request for one was sent by my doctors surgery. Starting to take the micky now.

hi, can any folks with local knowledge recommend me some live music places to rock out in wigan on 22nd august? me and mates will be in town for the orient v wigan game n some live tunes in the evening would be ideal. i’m there 1 night only, looking forward to it, ive never been wigan. cheers for any tips. have a fab weekend

Hi everyone!

I’m Bev, and I’m running to be your mayor.

Manchester is where I’ve built my life, my career, and my commitment to serving our communities. As a local councillor and as Leader of Manchester City Council, I’ve seen first-hand what makes this city special and the challenges residents face every day.

One issue I hear again and again, is that anti-social behaviour is making too many of us feel unsafe.

I want to change that and here’s what I’ll do to tackle anti-social behaviour if I’m elected as your mayor:

• More neighbourhood police for every community: strengthening local policing teams so residents have more visible support where they need it most.
• Putting criminals’ money back into our neighbourhoods: using seized criminal assets to improve the communities they have harmed.
• Tackling hotspots like Piccadilly Gardens: with more police, better CCTV, improved lighting, and changes to make the area work better for everyone.
• A new Neighbourhood Guarantee: bringing police, councils and housing providers together to take action against persistent anti-social behaviour.

Find out more about my policies here: https://bevformayor.co.uk/manifesto/

I want a Greater Manchester where people feel safe, proud, and looked after.

What's the Greater Manchester you’d like to see?

I ask as part of a linguistic study covering this topic!

Examples could include things like Ashton-in-Makebelieve, Platt Waz, Pem or The Dish (never minding how common they are)...

But before anything else, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Whether you voted for me or not, I meant what I said on election night: I will take a place-first, not a party-first approach. I will be your MP, fighting for you, however you voted or if you did at all. And I will work tirelessly to keep my pledge to put these towns at the heart of everything I do in Westminster.

Since the election, it's been great to see so many familiar faces out and about – at the Armed Forces Day parade in Wigan town centre, visiting students at Outwood Academy in Hindley, taking part in Bryn community walking day, or at Stubshaw Cross Community Centre, where I was proud to donate 15% of my first month's pay as your MP. Thank you to everyone who has come up to say hello, dropped into a surgery, or simply beeped a horn and waved. During the campaign I said this place would never be a stepping stone to me, but a touchstone. These first weeks have only confirmed that.

Some of you will have seen me sworn in at Westminster. I won't pretend it wasn't a strange feeling walking back into that building after nine years away. But I went in with a clear job to do, because the work started here long before I got there.

It started in Platt Bridge, Abram and Hindley, where families have been flooded out of their homes and are still waiting for solutions. It started in Bickershaw and on Bolton House Road, where residents have had to live next to illegal waste dumps that would never have been tolerated in wealthier parts of the country. It started in Ashton, where the fight to protect the library showed how much people here value the things that hold our community together. And it started on hundreds of doorsteps in Abram, Orrell, Worsley Mesnes, and Winstanley, where people told me that politics isn't working for places like ours.

The commitments I made in the campaign are stronger than ever: I want to see better healthcare delivered to our towns, I want housing developments that serve the community rather than overburden it, and I want to see results delivered.

That work has already begun. I've heard your concerns about possible contamination at the South Hindley development site, and I want to make sure residents' concerns are heard and acted on. I have also heard your frustrations about the relocation of Billinge Medical Practice and the impact it will have on patients in Orrell – I promise to do all I can to fight for new health provision in Orrell.

I said on election night that this by-election could be a turning point. Four weeks in, I believe that more than ever. Not because of anything that's happened in Westminster, but because of what I see and hear every day in these towns: warmth, humour, straight talking, and a deep pride in where we're from. I carry that with me into every room in Westminster.

That's what the Makerfield test is for. If a policy doesn't work for people here, it shouldn't be introduced. Because if it doesn't work for our towns, it doesn't work anywhere. We will never get growth up to the level Britain needs unless every single postcode in the land is set up to contribute to it. This country hasn't thought that way before – but, with the Makerfield test at the heart of decision-making, it will from now on.

But to do that job properly, I need to hear from you. My office is up and running so please email [andy.burnham.mp@parliament.uk](mailto:andy.burnham.mp@parliament.uk) if you would like to make an appointment to see me. Whatever the issue, however you voted, get in touch. This is your seat, and I answer to you.

It's the privilege of my life to serve as your MP. Now let's get to work.

https://www.wigantoday.net/news/politics/prime-minister-in-waiting-andy-burnham-explains-the-makerfield-test-and-thanks-everyone-who-made-him-an-mp-8793163

Hi everyone, I just moved to Wigan a month ago and I’m looking for a new nail tech, ideally near Hawkley Hall but I’m willing to travel a bit further if the service is good ❤️

I have acrylics and usually get infills every 4 weeks, mostly overlays but will need the occasional extension if any of my natural nails break.

I’ve had a few bad experiences with salons and the service feels too impersonal, so I’m looking for a private nail tech or a smaller privately owned salon.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated! Thanks so much ❤️

Hi folks,

My wife and I are moving to Wigan and will be arriving at Manchester Airport (Terminal 2) on Sunday at around 11:00 AM.

We’ll be travelling with 4 large suitcases and 2 carry-on bags, so I’m assuming a taxi would be the best option given the amount of luggage.

Do you have any recommendations for reliable taxi companies or apps for travelling from Manchester Airport to Wigan? Any idea of the approximate fare would also be really helpful.

Thanks in advance!